She finally gave it up.. made some interesting sounds, lots of slip and plenty of bind and knock...what do I do know..

I found out that originally she came with a 3.07 DANA61, but it has been replaced with a 3.73 R&P..

Now.. I mostly just tow (24ft enclosed car hauler..to max GVWR) and carry stuff with her, I run a 460 with C6 2wd, 32" tires...should I be happy with the 3.73's or look into a 4.10, or go back to the original 3.07's. I am mostly interested in have plenty of grunt to rip a house down, so I can maneuver the rig around easily.. I found it doggish sometimes with the 3.73's would I be better off with the 4.10's...

Thanks



Any body have a dana 61 diff for sale?

 

Sorry pic didn't load....

 

aaaarrrrgggghhh

pics in my gallery of the diff

 

if you found the 3.73's "doggish", then go for the 4.10's. you will loose some top end speed on the highway though. the mileage will also be a little worse,but its what you got to pay for low end grunt while pulling your trailer.

 

The difference between a 3.73 and 4.10 rear end is about 2-300 RPM going down the highway. If you drop your tire size from a 32" to a 31" tire, that will be the same as putting in 4.10 gear set. If you want PEP, put in 4.56 gears, and drop to 31" tires. A 460 should have PLENTY of grunt to move your truck just fine, even with 3.54 gears providing you make a few internal changes to the motor. If you go with the smaller tires, and or the numerically larger (steeper) ring and pinion, you will get more power from your truck, but the sacrifice will be having your motor turning more RPM going down the highway. If you want a heavy duty axle, I would recommend either a D70, or a 14B from a 1 ton truck(or a Sterling 10.25) The 70/Sterling will have 12x3 brakes, the 14B will have 13x3.5 brakes. All 3 axles boast bigger brakes, and a higher load rating. You can put in another 60, upgrade it to rear disc brakes (about $700 for a kit, or 2-300 if you source the parts yourself) Your D61 should be a 35 spline axle, I don't think it is a full floater however. If it is, forgive my ignorance. Did you look at your ring and pinion for damage? I would venture a guess that for about $100 you can replace your spider gears and not your ring and pinion, providing they did not get gear chunks ran through them.

If power is an issue now, I would definatly NOT put 3.07 gears back into your truck. The first challenge is finding a vendor who still carries these gears, and that wont charge you an arm and a leg for them. In my opinion, the most economical way to approach this would be with another axle from a 1 ton. Especially a lot of with towing, this would be the way to go. Be prepared to have to move spring perches and shock mounting points. Both items can be re-used if you cut them off correctly, or you can buy new ones. It will cost you about $800 in labor to have the gearset changed, plus whatever it will cost you in parts (around $300) or about 100-400 for a used axle, and a few more bucks to make it fit.

A few side notes, the driveline, and ebrake cables are two more possible expenses.

GM haters, if you take issue on me recommending a 14B, you can kiss my behind, and save your negative comments. They are strong, they are cheap, they are plentiful.

 

Ring and pinion are fine... I am going to rebuild what I have for now, and put together a 1ton dually rear end. I have the capabilities and resources to rebuild myself, I need to get her back on the road ASAP.. thanks for the post, and putting my picture up.


C

 

I want your wheels.